Luanda: The Southern Africa Development Community Chairperson Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed Monday that the historic Battle of Cuito Cuanavale in Angola has already marked a turning point in the liberation struggle in the region. "This decisive confrontation (...) contributed significantly to the independence of Namibia in 1990, paving the way for the first democratic elections in South Africa in 1994," Cyril Ramaphosa stressed.
According to Angola Press News Agency, in a message alluding to Southern Africa Liberation Day, March 23, the statesman also expressed his gratitude for "the solidarity and support of international partners - especially the people and government of Cuba - who mobilized their military forces to support regional liberation movements and independent states." He continued stressed that together, we confronted the South African Defence Forces of the apartheid regime.
He said that although we celebrate this crucial moment in our region's history annually, it is far from being an empty ritual performed merely to mark a date on the calendar. On the contrary, he added, it serves as an important opportunity to reflect on the current situation in relation to "our historical struggles, which seek to guarantee our peoples the right to determine their own systems of governance, to exercise control over their economies and, ultimately, to recover their dignity and their collective destiny."
He recalled the 38th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, held in August 2018 in Windhoek, Namibia, "where regional leadership approved the creation of a working group of experts from the region, charged with determining the requirements for teaching the History of the Liberation of Southern Africa and its integration into the school curricula of SADC Member States."
"We look forward to this noble initiative being consolidated throughout our region, that we can continue to demonstrate solidarity and honor our liberation heritage, keeping our communities interconnected through meaningful and lasting cooperation, including the naming of historic sites, museums, monuments, streets, buildings and other institutions, in honor of the heroes and heroines who fell throughout our liberation struggles," he said.
By acting in this way, he highlighted, we will be preserving their legacy, inspiring future generations and reaffirming the collective commitment to the values ??of freedom, unity and dignity for which they fought selflessly. "I urge everyone, as independent nations and citizens of SADC, to remain vigilant in the face of emerging challenges that may threaten the hard-won independence and stability of our region," he stressed.
Ramaphosa called on Africans to remain focused, united and steadfast in advancing the common regional agenda, guided by the enduring principles of solidarity, resilience and collective self-determination. In his view, the liberation that is celebrated today, "will remain incomplete as long as some Africans continue to yearn for self-determination."
He expressed solidarity with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) which "continues to be denied the fundamental right to determine its own destiny". Still talking about the event, Cyril Ramaphosa stated that once again, "one of the most significant milestones in our shared journey towards freedom and independence as a regional community" is being celebrated.
The South African Head of State, who holds the annual rotating presidency of SADC, until November 2026, honored the women and men who were on the front line of the struggle for the liberation of the Southern African region. It argues that "through their unwavering commitment and resilience, many freedom fighters and ordinary citizens made immense sacrifices in the fight against colonial rule and apartheid, laying the foundation for the peace, dignity and sovereignty we defend today."
